The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1887-10-01

'Dn, bcOf1e' IedllS lhVhEHL IL "d5
something serious Was il only a
ghostp'
Pray be serious, Laura. While 1
sat at my desk. few moments ago, a
hand touched me on the shoulder. just
as you have done a hundred times.
More than that, Laura, IL was your
touch.
"'You fancicd il, George.
"I felt the touch, Laura, as surely
as feel the pressure Of your hands at
this moment There was no deception;
il was not dclusiOn; hand touched
me. Who was it? What was it?'
Laura glanced quickly over her
shoulder, as nervous people are apt 10
do when alone in the house late at
night.
81 wonder if the house is haunted?'
she queried, laughingly.
IL went to bed; but not TO sleep. The
incident. trivial ~ it may seem. mysti-
fled and worried me. II called for an
explanation, which | could not give.
There was no supcrstitiOus fear 10 it,
raj solution Of the mystery, and ! ex-
hausted my ingenuity in endeavoring
10 reach such a solution. reviewed
the occurrence over and over again. IL
is impossible 10 picture here my un-
spcakable amazemcnt when, touched
upon the shoulder by Il soft hand, !
turned and found behind me-nothing!
The mystery became a part Of my
dreams.
"A few nights after this incident oc-
Cured was again writing at my desk.
A chill air was blowing through the
wire screen at my side. IL had grown
late, but not later than it was my Gus
tom To work. Without football, voice
or warning, the touch came again upon
the same shoulder and in the same
manner. felt it As plainly as ever
felt the touch of human hand. Quick
as a flash | turned. rising To my feet 10
prevent any possibility Of hiding or es-
cape. The room was empty; the door
remained closed as left IT,
"Did you ever turn iiercely to strike
an enemy back of you, and iind-noth-
ing? was not frightened; anger was
the predominant feeling. | was con
scious of being the victim Of a shrewd
deception. felt that this mysterious
presence. this namclcss aud immateria!
something, was inimical to me. | was
eager To materialize it. corner it. un-
derstand il. II would have delighted
me To learn that | was the victim of II
practical joke, rs that would have
barred the supernatural.
"'Laura' cried. going TO the door.
"ln few moments heard the rustic
Of her dress on the stairway.
"What is it, George? she asked, as
she burst eagerly into the room.
Something has touched me on the
shoulder again, ! replied. What can
il bcp'
81 wish knew, said Laura. draw
ing very near to me, and looking about
the room with mystiiied and fright
ened expression. I'm sure | can't see
any thing.
Were you asleep when | calledP'
"'No, | was reading.
"Did you hear any thingg
"'Not sound. Sit down mt your
desk again, George, just rs YOU sat
when the hand touched YOU. | have
an idea
81 did SO. bending over rs if in the
act of writing.
Laura approached me softly. |
could hear her footballs very family,
and laid her hand just where the myS-
tcrious touch had come and even more
gently.
"LauraN cried |, springing mp. you
did it! What fool you have made of
mcr
"'Gcorgc. she exclaimed. her great
dark eyes filling with tears, Il did not
do it. know nothing about it. How
can YOU doubt mcP
81 do not doubt YOU. little wife,
said |, rcusswingly; but | begin to
doubt myself.
II put ont the light and we went up
stairs together, both in rather Il somber
mood. II, after all, it was really II
spirit hand that touched me, what did
it mean? Did it portcnd misfortune of
some kind death? Unconsciously
began to grow morbid upon the sub
joct. With the slightest basis on which
to begin an investigation | should not
have dcspaircd. But what was there
To investigate? Without the aid of
sight aud hearing reason faltcrc0; the
sins,lc act of feeling the touch availcd
me nothing. What conclusion could |
arrive ut bu, that the touch was super
natural?
Twice upon thc street | was con-
sciouS of the same strange touch, in
broad daylight, when no deception was
possible. Unable to fathom the myS-
terry, | waited curiously. vet not with
ont miSgivings. To see what it por-
tended.
Zone evening. while | was seated at
the desk, DR.. Earle called; m aged
gentleman. i'm whose conversation
take great pleasure. Seating him com
fof:ably i'm my easiest chair, | excused
myself moment while completing a
letter begun before his arrival had
called Laura. but she had not We, come
down. Without the slightest war rning,
as hat always been the case, the same
har6 was placed upon my shoulder.
No logger gentle, it gripped mc d,mly.
N if a strong man had grasreG the
L a. 4, 4 "a n. Fnl